Our Yokohama Tire Reviews
Yokohama YK580 Review for 2017
Yokohama Background and Info
Yokohama Tire Corporation is a tire manufacturing company based in the United States. It is a branch of the much larger Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., located in Tokyo, Japan. Yokohama Rubber was founded on 13th October 1917 as part of a joint venture between B.F Goodrich and Yokohama Cable Manufacturing. In 1969 the company branched out into the United States. It has two manufacturing sites. One is located in Salem, Virginia while the other site is in West Point, Mississippi.
Product Line
The company’s product line consists of tires used in high-performance vehicles, passenger vehicles, light and commercial trucks, buses, and off-road use in mining and construction. Tires are commonly branded ‘ADVAN’, rather than Yokohama, especially in Japan.
Technology and Design
Yokohama has come up with innovative approaches to manufacturing tires over the years. One of these new ways includes the use of orange oil in the manufacturing process. Orange oil, which is obtained from orange peels, enhances the molecular bond between synthetic and natural rubber. This produces a compound that gives tires longer tread life, increased fuel efficiency and improved grip. The use of this technology also reduces the amount of petroleum used in manufacturing tires.
Company Values
The company’s values are centered around improving peoples lives by creating beneficial products. Yokohama’s slogan is ‘Excellence by nature’. It has strived to live up to this slogan by producing high-quality tires since its inception. It was the first tire manufacturing company from Japan to be given ISO9001 certification.
Caring For The Environment
Yokohama has made a pledge to taking care of the environment. It has made good on this promise by eliminating the use of CFCs and Trichloroethane in its manufacturing process. It has also shifted from the use of heavy oil to using natural gas so as to reduce carbon emission.
Sponsorships
Yokohama is engaged in a number of sponsorship activities. Below is a list of its sponsorship endeavors:
– Main sponsor of Chelsea Football Club in the English Premier League
– Sponsors both the San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics in the NBA
– Official tire supplier of the Macau Grand Prix since 1983
– Official tire supplier of Japanese Super Formula
– Partakes in the American Le Mans Series(ALMS)